Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 40:34-38

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 40:34-38
"Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys."

I pondering on this physical manifestation of the Lord's presence as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Why do I not see that as I go near the temple? I did reflect on one time my husband and I in the early morning hours witnessed a strange pillar over the temple. I'm sure at times others have seen such a thing, but it's not always there. I reflected on how I may not see things now but I do feel the spirit while in the temple. I have been privilege to know the Lord was there to accept his temple. Then I realized I've not yet noticed in Old Testament them recording feeling the Lord's presence in the tabernacle. It was always they knew by seeing not by feeling. Were they not given the gift of the Holy Ghost to know such things then? I will have to watch for this more closely.

"When they journeyed in the wilderness, God commanded the Children of Israel to build a tabernacle. He gave them a pattern thereof. In that tabernacle the Lord showed forth his power among Israel. It became visible not only on the inside, but on the outside the glory of God was made manifest and rested upon it. By this the Children of Israel knew that God was near unto them. They not only believed, but the testimony manifested before their eyes gave them a knowledge that God was in the midst of their camp; although through their wickedness, unbelief, and darkness of mind God withdrew his immediate presence from the midst of the congregation, and Moses only was permitted to see the and talk to him face to face, yet the display of God's power and glory was so great that the Children of Israel knew that God was near them."
(Orson Pratt, "Temple in Ancient America, Etc.", JD 19:311)

Day 3775

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:22
"But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."

Borrow = to ask

"And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."
(Exodus 12:36)

I pondered on why the children of Israel were to ask of the Egyptians jewels of silver and gold and raiment? You would think with leaving Egypt there would be more important things to take like food, water and provisions? Even Lehi in the Book of Mormon was told to leave his riches behind.

"And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness."
(1 Nephi 2:4)

Then I thought about how those riches left behind were used in trying to obtain the plates of brass from Laban. The attempt failed and they had to leave their riches behind a second time. But there was a purpose, if they had taken them into the wilderness they wouldn't have brought them back to Jerusalem when trying to obtain the brass plates. Then I thought about why the children of Israel may have needed the gold and silver and raiment. At first they failed by making a golden calf with some. Later they did need them in worshiping God. They were used in the building of the tabernacle. I imagine it would have been extremely difficult to find such things while wandering in the wilderness. God had also promised Abraham that this descendants would serve others for 400 years, yet come out with great substance. The Lord keeps his word.

"And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.."
(Genesis 15:14)

Day 3763

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 39:43

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 39:43

"And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."

The tabernacle is completed as the Lord asked of them. I can only imagine the joy they must have felt at that moment. I can imagine the blessing Moses gave them was no different than when we receive an apostolic blessing. It is something to be cherished, and observed.

I wanted to see a picture of what the tabernacle may have looked like and found a lovely video that the church created explaining what the different parts of it meant.

Day 2248

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 25:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 25:2-3

"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

And this is the offering which ye shall take of them: gold, and silver, and brass."

Where did the children of Israel get gold, silver and brass after all these years of being slaves to the Egyptians? It was from when the Lord commanded the children of Israel to ask or demand a recompense for their past services from them. This is where they received jewels of silver and gold and other precious things. It was in direct prophesy of Abraham, that his seed which were strangers in the land for four hundred years, would come out with great substance.

I thought about two things with these riches. First, it's interesting how Satan tried to deceive them into idol worship of a golden calf. They would have used the gold meant for the tabernacle the Lord would prepare for them. What blessings they would have lost. The second was the offering had to be made willingly. This made me think of paying tithes and offerings. How this is all done willingly. Yet, there are some apostates that find fault and think this shouldn't be asked of us. The point is it's all willing, and no one has to do it. It is the Lord that requires of it of all his saints, through all generations. We can either make offerings of what the Lord asks, or withhold them and use them for our own idols that bring nothing.

Day 2234

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 2:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 2:2

"Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch."

As I read the number of men in each of the tribes of Israel I could not help but be impressed with how many descendants there were for each of the son's of Israel. I'm not sure how many generations this has been, but obviously they have kept track of the lineage they came through. What an amazing genealogical record this would be. Today I only know what line I come through by my patriarchal blessing. I did take note that the reference point for where they gathered is the tabernacle. Which is the house of the Lord. To stand a far off but about, would mean you would still see it in the distance. They must have looked upon it. Is that not the same thing my family needs to do today.

Day 694

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 9:23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 9:23-24

"And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people.

And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces."

I sat and pondered how they must have felt to witness such an event. I can think of feeling terror, and giving a scream. Then falling to my face, and being afraid to face the Lord. Is that what I would want to be doing if I saw the power of the Lord in such a miraculous way? I could not decide if it was a good or bad action. I know I want to "fear" the Lord, but not be afraid. The closer I draw near to Him I feel fear is more a love and reverence for him. I would want to bow to the earth and worship my God. So maybe the difference here is the shouting? Maybe what they did was more like a Hosanna Shout. Now that seemed more fitting. Just like they did during Jesus' triumphal ride into Jerusalem.

I went on LDS.org and looked up the Hosanna Shout and found a recording of it. It was during the dedication of the LDS Conference Center in Oct 2000 "This Great Millennial Year". Before the dedicatory prayer President Gordon B. Hinckley gives instruction in how it is to be performed. I remember attending this event over satellite in my local stake center. I was so grateful to sit and watch it again tonight. I wept as I saw the camera roll over the audience during the Hosanna Shout, and hearing President Hinckley voice fill with emotion. It left me seeing what the Israelites may have done in a totally different light. 

Day 674

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 26:30

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 26:30

"And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount."

As I was reading the description of how Israel was to build the tabernacle I got lost. It made me think of building furniture from written directions, without any pictures to go with it. Then when I hit this verse I realized Moses actually had the picture. The Lord didn't leave him to guess or picture it for himself, from the directions given. This was important and the Lord gave Moses every tool available to understand.

I do not know if Moses had a vision opened up to him or if he saw it in his mind as the Lord spoke. I may never experience a vision, but I can relate to seeing things in my mind. I picture things all day long. I found that thought rather interesting. There is an open drawing board inside of me for the spirit to write upon. My Heavenly Father has given me every tool needed to understand his will. I just need to be worthy to have the spirit always to be with me.

That blank drawing board reminded me of my New Years goal. I was blank, all I could see is a clean slate in front of me, and the whiteness was to perfect to write upon. Now I see the spirit is the one to do the writing, for I am to do the Father's will. I will understand as the pictures and impressions come to my mind. If I "Carry On" as the impressions came to me, I would be worthy to receive more. 

Day 651